I’ve been reading Newsrama’s Fangirl Invasion series (part 1, part 2, part 3) recently and it has got me thinking about being a fan, who happens to be female, of geeky things in Singapore.
Firstly, it’s not terribly easy to find other females in real life who share the same interests as you or who want to talk about the same things as you. For me, it’s poor JK who has to listen to me squee about Merlin, grumble about Smallville, ramble about Spiderman and OMD/BND and how I quite like the new Batman and brag about how far I have gotten in Disgaea. Add to the fact that I’m not a naturally sociable person, it makes finding someone that little bit more difficult. Heck, I can’t even find people who watch Smallville (and want to discuss how they have made a mockery of the Superman mythos) in real life.
Secondly, some males who discover that you, a female, like comics and/or video games tend to want to test you on what you know. I don’t know why, to see how hardcore you are? I’ve met people who upon hearing I own a PS3 insist on grilling me on various games just to see how much I know. It’s like they are trying to gauge if I am a True Fan. If I don’t know enough, I’m not good enough to be a fan. Or they assume that I like manga (because that’s a girly thing apparently – I don’t actually) and only play games like the Sims or Bejewelled, or I bought my PS3 so I can watch blu-ray DVDs (?!). It’s all quite strange and uncomfortable.
Of course not everyone is like this. I have a colleague who is quite pleased that I like comics and like him, much prefer the DC universe to Marvel. My local comic book store has also been very welcoming although it discomforts me a little that the owner only hires females to tend the store and refers to them as the <comic store> girls. The girls though, are quite knowledgeable, so maybe he just can’t find males of similar caliber to man the store.
I’m not sure why people find it so fascinating that girls may like the same things as guys, so much so that they have to write long essays about fangirl invasions. Sure, I like romantic comedies and clothes shopping. But I also like watching fight scenes and playing RPGs. And I know I’m not the only one. Online, there are tons of girls who enjoy reading superhero comics and/or playing WOW. And it’s been going on for years and yet, everyone acts like its some strange phenomena.
On that geeky note, I am so pleased with my new Order of the Stick bag that just arrived.
On another geeky note, I wonder what I would need to play Diablo 3. I need to ensure that the laptop I want to get can play it. I can’t seem to find it online. Bah. Ooh! Found it. Hope it’s accurate!
On a less geeky note, yay Arsenal! Boo Man Utd (who clearly cheated to win).